Anna Sheedy Psy.D.

Self-harm can serve several functions for people; one of the most common functions is to regulate intense emotion. It often occurs when our rational brain is completely shut down and we are feeling a strong desire to escape the emotional experience. I have worked with many individuals over the years who self-harm, and I know many tools that can help you learn replacement behaviors that won't cause additional damage. There is hope, I promise!

Anxiety is a normal, healthy emotion that all of us experience in the face of uncertainty. For some, anxiety is overwhelming, pervasive, and gets in the way of living their best lives. For someone with social anxiety, the fears of being judged and rejected can get in the way of making meaningful connections with others. Avoidance is a big maintaining factor of anxiety; together, we can work on gradually facing your fears; the more we face them, the less scary they become.

Do you struggle with pervasive sadness, lack of motivation, and constant negative thinking? Depression can be devastating, and it can leave you feeling stuck and hopeless. In therapy, it can be helpful to look at the behaviors and thought patterns that keep depression going. We can interrupt those patterns by figuring out which thoughts are worsening your mood and directing your attention to more helpful thoughts. We can also create behavior changes that will have a positive impact on your mood.

I am trained in dialectical-behavior therapy, a treatment for individuals who struggle with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and other impulsive behaviors. I cannot provide a full-DBT program, I would be a good fit for individuals who could benefit from the approach and from learning the skills. If you struggling to manage intense emotional experience and out-of-control behaviors, I can talk to you and figure out whether or not I could serve or needs or whether you may be need a full DBT program.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy looks at how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. In order to modify certain emotional experiences we have (i.e. wanting to lessen depression or anxiety,) we need to look at what behaviors you are engaging in that may be reinforcing those feelings. We also need to be aware of negative thought patterns and how they stop us from engaging in behaviors that fulfill us and create a positive mood. There are many skills that can help accomplish this.

Acceptance and Commitment therapy is a wonderful approach has been shown to be very effective for a variety of emotional disorders. With this treatment, we will work to clarify your values, which are the core of who you are. We will then use tools like mindfulness and behavior change to help you move slowly towards goals that fulfill you. With ACT, we learn to embrace all experiences, painful and pleasant, instead of try to suppress or control them.